England v Uruguay: Four big issues for Roy Hodgson to resolve

The task of qualifying from Group D is immeasurably harder after the stumble in the jungle against Italy on Saturday night and yet there was enough in England’s performance to suggest all is not lost.

Roy Hodgson’s side attacked with an unpredictability and dynamism all too rare in recent competitions and yet they now face a potentially decisive clash against Uruguay on Thursday with their existence at this World Cup under huge threat.

There were several issues to arise from Saturday’s game on which Hodgson must clarify his thinking if England are to get back on track in Sao Paulo.

Four big issues for Roy Hodgson to resolve before England v Uruguay

Four big issues for Roy Hodgson to resolve before England v Uruguay

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Should defeat change the approach?

There is no need to panic. The simple reason why losing to Italy is tolerable can be found in the purpose with which England played — too often in tournaments they have cowered against top opposition, inhibited by pressure and fear, waiting to succumb to inevitable defeat.
Make no mistake, England frightened Italy. Cesare Prandelli’s assertion that England “have one of the World Cup’s strongest attacks” should not be dismissed as a post-match platitude: England have the weapons to hurt teams and they should continue to play with the courage of their convictions.
It would be far more palatable for England to fall on their sword than acquiesce timidly to another loss. Nobody expected England to win this tournament.
Progress is being made as they build towards Euro 2016 and this more inventive style must endure.

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Defensive vulnerability

There won’t be much Hodgson can do in three days to address England’s longstanding defensive concerns — they have kept just nine clean sheets in 23 matches since Euro 2012, four of those against Moldova and San Marino — but improvements are vital against a Uruguay side harbouring Edinson Cavani and, in all probability, Luis Suarez.
Unsettling the centre-back partnership of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka would be unwise, despite the former’s error in losing Mario Balotelli for Italy’s winner, given they have started 10 of England’s last 14 matches together and have developed a good understanding.But Glen Johnson’s poor form continued in Manaus and while the experiment of deploying James Milner at right-back undeniably failed, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are possible alternatives against Uruguay.
Leighton Baines was also at fault for Italy’s winner but throwing in Luke Shaw for such a big game represents an unpalatable gamble. The absence of Ashley Cole in this tournament may eventually be keenly felt.

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The Wayne Rooney question

This just won’t go away. Rooney continues to be judged by the highest standards created by past achievements and while he was only workmanlike against Italy — albeit not always providing adequate cover on the left for Baines — the fact remains that he created England’s goal and was close to drawing the team level in the second half, cutting in on his right foot from the wing.
The clamour in certain quarters to drop Rooney will no doubt intensify this week, especially with Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, injury permitting, waiting to deputise.
But the 28-year-old’s international pedigree continues to warrant his inclusion — although none of his 39 England goals have come at a World Cup — and he was a useful cog in the interchangeable front four alongside Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.
Of course, it is because we expect more than ‘usefulness’ from Rooney that he disappoints so many.
Rooney at No10 and Sterling on the left is a possible switch against Uruguay.

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Sterling, Lallana, Barkley or Oxlade-Chamberlain?

Hodgson was bold in opting for Sterling from the outset and the 19-year-old did not disappoint. He was never afraid to commit defenders or create openings and his pace was a constant concern to the Italians, just as it will be against a creaky Uruguay defence that shipped three goals in defeat to Costa Rica.
Barkley remains most potent as an impact substitute while Lallana struggled to make an impact against Italy and Oxlade-Chamberlain has to prove his fitness this week.
England did not do too much wrong in attack and they deserve another crack on Thursday, especially given Uruguay do not have the midfield ball-playing expertise of Andrea Pirlo and Marco Verratti.

England's midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) vies with Italy's midfielder Antonio Candreva during a Group D football match between England and Italy at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Pho